A doctor has appeared in court accused of sexually assaulting female patients.

Dr Tony Chee, 45, from Waringfield Close, Craigavon, in Northern Ireland, faced seven charges of sexual assault against six different women over a three year period.

The charges are alleged to have happened at a health centre in Co Armagah between 2009 and 2011.

The GP showed no emotion as the string of charges were read out during his first appearance at Armagh Magistrates Court.

He spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth, and nodded to indicate that he understood all of the allegations.

PSNI Detective Sergeant Lisa McClure told the court she believed she could connect the accused to the charges.

Releasing Dr Chee on bail of £1,000, District Judge Paul Copeland ordered him to adhere to strict bail conditions which included a ban on unsupervised contact with female patients.

The judge said: "You are remanded on bail to appear here again subject to bail conditions recited to the court. Once you sign those conditions you are free to leave."

Other bail conditions imposed prevent Dr Chee from contacting any of the complainants and say he must live at an address approved by the court.

A prosecution barrister said the doctor had already surrendered his passport to police. The court also heard that the police investigation was still ongoing.

Defence barrister Ivor McAteer said he had no questions for the police officer and raised no objections to a six-week adjournment.

Dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and striped tie, Dr Chee was accompanied in the public gallery by a woman, believed to be his wife. He stood in the dock flanked by a prison guard and had his hands clasped.

The GP worked at Richhill Health Centre in Co Armagh until 2011, when the practise severed its ties with him.

Dr Chee is due to appear at Armagh Magistrates Court again on October 14.